Govt working to resolve gas, power crisis without making excuses: PM

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman today (4 August) acknowledged the hardships people are facing due to ongoing gas and electricity shortages, saying the government is not trying to make excuses but is working continuously to resolve the problems through both immediate and long-term measures.

Speaking at a discussion to mark the 2nd anniversary of the July Mass Uprising, he also detailed a series of initiatives to increase gas supply and restore electricity generation disrupted by years of neglect in the sector.

"We are not trying to evade our responsibility by making excuses. The problems exist. We know that, and we want to address them," the prime minister said.

The BNP organised the discussion titled "Seventeen Years of Relentless Struggle for Democracy and the Blood-soaked July Awakening" at the Krishibid Institution Bangladesh (KIB) in the capital, with its Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir in the chair.

Tarique Rahman acknowledged that people across the country are facing hardships due to shortages of gas, electricity and fuel, saying the crisis has affected households and industries because of the country's battered economy and years of mismanagement in the energy sector.

He said rebuilding a sector that had been "devastated by years of looting" will naturally take time.

The prime minister alleged that the previous "fascist" government had treated the energy sector as a means of plundering, leaving it in a fragile state after years of corruption and mismanagement.

Despite the challenges, he said, the government is making every effort, using its experience and expert advice, to bring the country out of the crisis.

Tarique Rahman said discussions have already begun with neighbouring Myanmar to import natural gas to help ease the shortage.

He also said Bangladesh is in talks with Malaysia's state-owned energy company Petronas to import liquefied natural gas (LNG) through a container-based transportation system.

Recalling his recent visit to Malaysia, the prime minister said he discussed the issue with Petronas and recently spoke directly with Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim seeking cooperation.

He said Petronas held a virtual meeting with Bangladeshi officials on Monday evening and discussions have progressed well.

Although the company already has a long-term commitment with Japan, it is trying to arrange LNG supplies for Bangladesh by October, Tarique Rahman said.

"If we can ensure gas supply to our industries, it will significantly improve the situation," he said.

The prime minister said the government is also trying to arrange gas supplies for around eight power plants that are currently unable to operate because of fuel shortages.

"If gas can be supplied to those plants, about 4,000 megawatts of electricity can be added to the national grid within three to four hours," he said, describing the current problems as the result of years of neglect and poor planning.

Tarique Rahman alleged that the Bangladesh Petroleum Exploration and Production Company (Bapex), responsible for exploring the country's oil and gas resources, had been virtually paralysed over the past 17 years, with exploration work left largely to foreign companies.

To reverse the situation, he said the government has already decided to procure two drilling rigs for Bapex so it can accelerate exploration in areas with potential gas and oil reserves.

The exploration process is already underway and, although it will take some time, the prime minister expressed hope that the country will see positive results in the near future.

He said ensuring uninterrupted supplies of electricity and gas is among the expectations of people who struggled and sacrificed for the country over the years, including those who took part in the Liberation War, democratic movements and the July uprising.

Tarique Rahman reaffirmed the government's commitment to restoring stability in the energy sector and reducing people's suffering through sustained reforms and investment.

The discussion was also addressed by leaders of the BNP, its associate organisations and political allies that participated in the simultaneous movement.